This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
New ferry for Wemyss Bay-Rothesay route
14/10/2003
A new £8.75 million sheltered water
ferry is to operate on the Wemyss Bay-Rothesay route, it
was announced today.
The order for the new vessel, which
will be funded by the Executive, will be placed later this
year by CalMac and will replace one of the existing
Streaker vessels currently operating on the route. The new
vessel is due to come into service in 2005.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen
said:
"This new ferry will be able to carry
twice as many cars. This will help tackle capacity problems
on this busy route and will benefit both local businesses
and tourists.
"The Executive remains committed to
the vital lifeline ferry services which link Scotland's
islands and rural communities. This new vessel is part of a
programme of significant investment in Clyde and Hebrides
ferry network. It will bring major benefits particularly
to the local people who make regular use of this popular
service."
Four new vessels have joined the
CalMac fleet since 2000:
- MV Loch Nevis (the Small Isles), May 2000
- MV Hebrides (Harris and North Uist), October 2001
- MV Loch Portain (Sound of Harris), June 2003
- MV Coruisk (Mallaig-Armadale and the Clyde) August
2003.
The successful bidder for the Clyde
and Hebrides lifeline ferry
services contract will be bound to the new vessel for
Wemyss Bay-Rothesay.